AP govt announces four new urban development bodies

The decision was taken to fast track development and economic growth in tier two towns and cities.

In a major decision, the Andhra Pradesh Government announced forming of four new urban development authorities to fast track development and economic growth in tier two towns and cities. In Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting held at Vijayawada, it was decided to form Anantapur Urban Development Authority covering Anantapur, Hindupur, and Dharmavaram covering 2791.78 sq km; Kurnool Urban Development Authority covering Kurnool, Atmakur, and Nandyal covering 1656.76 sq km — both in Rayalaseema Region; Godavari Urban Development Authority covering Kakinada, Rajahmundry, Samalkot, Katipudi and Peddapurm in East Godavari district; and Nellore Urban Development Authority (NUDA) covering 1644.17 sq km in Nellore district. NUDA may mostly include villages and municipalities along the Visakhapatnam-Chennai Industrial Corridor till Tada which is on the Chennai-Kolkata National Highway.

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All these cities and towns have Urban-Centric Economic Growth potential, according to officials. Officials in Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department said that urban development authority would speed up planned development in these cities. The priority would be to provide drinking water supply to households, sewerage and storm water drainage system, solid waste management, and develop modern urban transport.

The formation of the four new urban bodies is part of the AP Government’s plan to upgrade major panchayats to nagar panchayats, nagar panchayats to municipalities, municipalities to corporations and corporations would be upgraded as urban development authorities, said Dr P Narayana, Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development.

The Cabinet also approved draft ordinance to form AP Tourism Culture and Heritage Board 2016 for speedy implementation of tourism projects. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu will be chairman of the Board. It has been decided to bring amendment to Acharya Nagarjuna University Act to permit a private agricultural college under Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University.

In another major decision, the Cabinet decided to introduce AP Rent Control Bill 2016 and referred to Law Department. As per the new laws, the rent advance cannot exceed three months rent amount. The new Bill will be beneficial for both owner and tenant, officials said.

To prevent double registrations of lands, new provisions are to be included in Registrations Act. Cabinet decided to float a special corporation for development of small and medium enterprises (SME) parks in all the constituencies. Acceding to demands, the Cabinet decided to pay compensation of Rs 7.5 lakh per acre to farmers of 716.44 acres at Mallavalli in Bapulapadu mandal of Krishna district to develop mega food park by APIIC.